First National Group has honoured its brightest real estate stars in its annual national awards.

The dedication shown by the offices is highlighted by Motueka-based Bob Brereton who ranked in the top 20 sales agents in the country, while fulfilling his duties as First National Real Estate’s youngest chairman.

The Awards were presented at the First National Australasian Conference held recently on Hamilton Island, Australia.

“Placing seventh top salesperson and fulfilling his duty as chairman is a testament to Bob’s professionalism and dedication,” says First National Group general manager Colleen Milne.

“Bob’s continued ability to develop and maintain client relationships, his industry knowledge and strong work ethic all contribute to his success.”

Mr Brereton, who owns First National Motueka says, “I love what I do and take my role as an area ambassador very seriously.

“The real estate industry is people focused and nothing makes me happier than using marketplace knowledge and expertise to get my clients results.”

First National offices across the country compete for the yearly national awards, aimed to keep agents striving for excellence and customer satisfaction.

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For further comment, please contact:

Bob Brereton

Director, First National Motueka

Chairman, First National Group

021 772 309

Colleen Milne

General Manager, First National Group

First National Group

029 771 0750

Bob Brereton and Colleen Milne at the First National Australasian Conference.

First National Group has honoured its brightest real estate stars in its annual national awards.

The dedication shown by the offices is highlighted by Stratford-based Owen Mills who took out six prized awards, after providing great service to his clients while recovering from a hip replacement.

Mr Mills is owner of First National Allied Farmers, which won a further four awards, including office of the year (in the six-10 salespeople category) and top auction office.

Becoming known as a rural real estate expert that always delivers is Mr Mills’ winning formula.

“The hip replacement made me feel 20 again,” Mr Mills adds.

For the 15th consecutive year Gillian Cross has taken out the top sales consultant award. The Churton Park real estate agent also won the top residential salesperson award and had the top dollar value of confirmed sales for the group.

“This is a highly sought after award and being top sales consultant for 15 years is a testament to Gillian’s continued professional approach to everything she does and to her knowledge of the marketplace,” says Paul Coltart, owner of First National Guardian.
“Gillian celebrated her 20th anniversary and continues to achieve outstanding results because of her strong work ethic and genuine interest in her clients.”

First National offices across the country compete for the yearly national awards, aimed to keep agents striving for excellence and customer satisfaction. This year’s ceremony was held at the First National Australasian Conference on Hamilton Island, Australia.

“This year’s victors all say the cornerstone of their businesses is making clients happy and helping them fulfil their dreams,” says First National Group general manager Colleen Milne.

“Deciding to buy or sell a property can be a stressful time but our teams make it a positive experience and achieve our customer’s desired outcomes.”

First National Group’s award winners are:

Top office: Group 1 (1 – 5 salespeople) First National Guardian, Churton Park.

Top office: Group 2 (6 – 10 salespeople) First National Allied Farmers, Stratford.

Top office: Group 3 (11 + salespeople) First National Mark Stevenson, Blenheim.

Top property management office: First National Allied Farmers, Hawera.

Top performer of the year winners: Top number of confirmed sales: Gillian Cross – First National Guardian, Churton Park; Top number of confirmed sales (sections & project marketing): Mike Murphy – First National Richmond, Nelson; Top dollar value of confirmed sales: Owen Mills – First National Allied Farmers, Stratford; Top exclusive lister: Rachael de Vries – First National Roper & Jones, Dargaville; Top exclusives sold: Mark McLeod – First National Reid & Wilson, Timaru; Top auction lister: Owen Mills – First National Allied Farmers, Stratford; Top gross referral fees generated: Kelly Gooch – First National Wanaka.

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For further comment, please contact:
Colleen Milne, General Manager First National Group, 029 771 0750.

After over a quarter of a century in Tauranga, First National Real Estate recognised to continue in today’s competitive market, it was time for change. Such a change involved not only relocation of the National office to Auckland but the restructuring of resources to provide expanded products and services to our membership.

This relocation to Auckland was specifically engineered to increase both presence and brand profile in a business city. Suffice to say, this move, together with the restructuring, has resulted in shaking off the gloom of recent poor market conditions, the global financial crisis and, ultimately, enabled us to focus on adding value and growth to our membership.

The introduction of a vast array of new technology products from First National (Australia) will provide benefits to our sales and property management teams. This is just one of the great benefits of being a part of a 400+ First National International network. Added to this, as a co-operative, our members continue to value their autonomy as they have no big brother watching over them.

A revitalised executive management team lead by general manager Colleen Milne (MBA) has achieved exceptional results largely due to her hands on administrative approach backed by her extensive experience at senior management level. This real estate role is a change of career for Colleen who previously came from a franchising background, “it is a pleasure to work in this co-operative, with such a committed group of members. The members believe in the brand and work together for the good of the membership which is very refreshing” says Colleen Milne.

Under Colleen’s guidance, the restructuring of the National office has seen the introduction of a real estate licensed trainer, a property management trainer as well as a membership services manager who are all focused on delivering products and services to the network’s sales people, property managers and their teams.

Joining the executive, in 2012, was a very technology savvy Chairman of the Board, Bob Brereton whose guidance and expertise is taking the First National brand from strength to strength.

For more information please contact:
Colleen Milne
General Manager
First National Group NZ Ltd
Mobile: 029 771 0750

First National Real Estate New Zealand’s General Manager, Colleen Milne

First National’s top regional performers for Picton, Blenheim, Nelson, Richmond Mouteka, Golden Bay and Christchurch regions are celebrating after being recognised at the real estate network’s regional conference and awards.

First National Group general manager Colleen Milne says the awards are recognition of the commitment, professionalism and putting the customer first.

“The achievements of these salespeople are great to see after the previous, very difficult years within the Real Estate industry. We are all celebrating 2012 as a great year of growth in sales and in the performance of our offices.” states Colleen Milne

TOP SALES CONSULTANT IN REGION FOUR

10. Geoff Dentice – First National Mark Stevenson, Blenheim

9. Greg Jones – First National Motueka

8. Lorraine Barrett – First National Mark Stevenson, Blenheim

7. Logan McCosh – First National Mark Stevenson, Blenheim

6. Ian Fyfe – First National Mark Stevenson, Blenheim

5. Anne Goodyer – First National Mark Stevenson, Blenheim

4. Robert Moore – First National Mark Stevenson, Blenheim

3. Bob Brereton – First National Motueka

2. Andrea Church – First National Mark Stevenson, Blenheim

1. Mike Murphy – First National Richmond, Nelson

Top 10 Sales Consultants in Region Four

“These sales people have built enduring relationships with in their communities, with vendors and buyers. Building trust and confidence with all clients is a predominant aspect driving the sales agents success” states Colleen Milne

First National Mark Stevenson, Blenheim celebrated their Top Performers on the night with Andrea Church receiving the award for Top number of confirmed sales; Top exclusive lister; Top exclusives sold and Top residential sales person.

Bob Brererton, the Principle of First National Motueka and Chairman of the First National Board was recognized for his consistency as a high achiever over the last three year with a Platinuim award.

Also recognized for consistency in high performance were Andrea Church and Anne Goodyer receiving Platinum who are both from First National Mark Stevenson, Blenheim. Finally, Mike Murphy of First National Richmond was presented for his exceptional performance over the last 19 years within First National.

The TradeMe – Rookie of the Year Award was won by Michael Rea of First National Blenheim. Michael Rae has been licensed in real estate less than 18 months and has achieved exceptional results. Michael also received the Next Generation Award – for success in sales awarded to new generation of sales people under 30 years of age.

Top Office: Awards in Group 1 ( 1 -5 consultants) was awarded to First National Motueka. Top Office: Group 2 ( 6 – 10 sales people) was won by First National Richmond.

First National Mark Stevenson, Blenheim also received the Top Rural Office award and the Top Commercial Office award, finally they received the Top Office Award for their category for Group 3 ( 11 + sales consultants)

The Property Management To Office and Property Management Growth Awards were both won by First National Giera Progressive, Christchurch in recognition for their excellence in management and growth. “this achievement is especially significant in view of the difficulties Christchurch and the team at Giera Progressive have endured over the last years” states Colleen Milne.

Selling a home in summer can be tricky for some but rewarding for many – it all comes down to getting the details right.

Correctly pricing your property choosing the right marketing method is the key. Real estate agents can make a lot of difference here as they have the necessary knowledge and experience to maximise the value of your property.

When it comes to pricing the property, home-owners need to consider the market and buying conditions. While spring has seen a resurgence in buyer confidence, house prices still have a way to go before they fully recover.

One of the biggest dilemmas summer sellers face is whether to go to auction or sell their house through private treaty (for sale). In making this decision, there are a number of factors that should be considered such as location, style of property, level of demand and timing of the sale.

Private treaty and auctions where both have their advantages and disadvantages. The processes must be carefully weighed against each other.

When it comes to auctions, there are two types to be considered: in-room or on-site.

Again, both are viable options and it comes down to where the vendor sees the biggest advantage.

The soft market of recent times is showing a trend towards private sales over auctions, with sellers more inclined to take that route than what they perceive as the uncertainty of the potential outcome on auction day.

It is advisable to discuss all the options available with a real estate agent.They will help determine which method of sale best suits your individual circumstances and the likely degree of demand for the type of property you’ll be offering the marketplace.

And while many including most of the opposition parties found something to moan about nothing, the fact of the matter is the Government made the same choice that smart lay folk would make in difficult times – careful, prudent, get the debt under control.

The only budget changes that might have some direct impact on Real Estate is the Bach Tax.

Some suggest this may threaten property values in holiday markets. In case you missed the specifics – Assets that are partly used for private purposes and partly for income producing purposes will be subject to tighter restrictions on the deductibility of costs. The government says these measures are specifically targeted at taxpayers who are offsetting holding costs on assets such as holiday homes, planes, and boats.

Generally it’s been a pretty slow segment of the real estate market over the last three years. We just hope it doesn’t slow it further.

A nationwide shortage of residential properties for lease has led rental prices higher in many places across the country and there’s no respite in sight, as shown by First National’s quarterly property management survey.

Rents have increased due to a shortage of rental properties across much of the nation – it’s the basic economic principle of supply and demand. The situation is unlikely to improve until more properties are available to rent.

Next month law changes mean depreciation can no longer be claimed on investment properties. This has had a cumulative effect of making it difficult for new landlords to enter the market and for existing investors to grow their property portfolio, while keeping reluctant landlords in a holding pattern because they would have to pay back the depreciation if they sell.

There’s a gradual creep towards more people renting versus owning a home as people can’t afford to buy.